Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian and his cabinet in Tehran, Iran, August 27, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
After the gruesome execution of six Israeli hostages by Hamas terrorists, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz instructed the nation’s diplomats to urge their global partners to take action against the terrorists and their patron, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“An execution is crossing a red line, a shocking war crime by a murderous terrorist organization,” Katz wrote in a document of instructions his ministry sent to the Israeli embassies worldwide, according to Ynet News.
Katz told the Israeli diplomats to undescore: “Iran is the head of the snake. Iran finances, trains, arms, and directs its proxies Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.”
“Israel demands the international community categorically condemn the heinous murder of the six hostages and take all possible measures, including sanctions and legal measures, against Hamas and its supporters, led by Iran. This is the time to support Israel and not strengthen its enemies,” Katz continued.
No to a Palestinian terror state! pic.twitter.com/JuUxKSyUbZ
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) September 3, 2024
The foreign minister stressed that according to information from the autopsy of the bodies, “the murder of the six hostages is an execution… the hostages were shot from close range. This is the crossing of a red line, a shocking war crime by a murderous terrorist organization that seeks to implement an extreme ideology that strives to destroy the State of Israel.”
Media reports noted that gunshot wounds were found on their heads and other parts of their bodies, which also showed signs of hardship and neglect suffered for more than 10 months. According to the report, the hostages were extremely thin, appeared not to have showered for an extended period, and some showed signs of having been tied up.
“Hamas is determined to continue its terrorist activities while thwarting any attempt to finalize a deal for the return of the hostages and a cease-fire. This is happening despite the efforts of Israel and the mediators to complete a deal that will lead to the release of the hostages,” Katz continued.
On Monday, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zahari reiterated Hamas’ rejection of the latest U.S. proposal, saying the terror group would “treat any proposal that includes a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal [from Gaza] very seriously.”
In addition, Katz told his diplomats to emphasize that Israel would continue to pursue the goals it set for the war.
“Destroying the military and leadership capabilities of Hamas and exerting pressure on Hamas to bring about the return of all the hostages. Israel will continue to protect its citizens and its territory and is working against the evil axis led by Iran, which is clearly aiming for the destruction of Israel,” the document read.
